The Château du Bernstein, round trip from the Chapelle Saint-Sébastien

Departure from the Saint-Sébastien Chapel, on the heights of Dambach-la-Ville. Park in the car park at the foot of the chapel.

Markings: Blue disc + red cross

(S/E) From the car park, go around the chapel on the left and climb up a tarmac lane. At the crossroads, turn right and climb up a stony path alongside a vineyard on your left. Enter the forest.

(1) At a fork, turn right and continue climbing.

Blue disc markings

(2) At the next junction, take the second path on the right and climb up alongside a vineyard (beautiful view of Dambach). After about 50 metres, turn right onto a path (bench).

(3) At the "Bibelefelsen" sign (rock on the left), turn sharply right. Soon turn left onto the path and continue climbing until you reach a crossroads.

(4) Cross a wide forest path and continue straight ahead on another path. After about 50 metres, at a triple fork, take the left-hand path. Climb steadily. Ignore a path coming from the right and, at the fork that appears shortly afterwards, keep left.

(5) At the next junction, turn left. Ignore the paths on the left and note the castle ruins on the right. Shortly before a crossroads, turn right to reach the castle entrance.

(6) Return via the same route in the opposite direction, following the blue disc markings to the Chapel of Saint Sebastian (S/E).

In dry weather, good sports shoes are sufficient for this hike.

No water sources were found along the route.

Detailed map useful (at least the one accompanying this description).

Hike completed by the author on 9 November 2025.

Saint-Sébastien Chapel (S/E).

Ruins of Bernstein Castle (6). Access to the interior is free. It is possible to climb to the top of the keep, which offers sweeping views of the Vosges mountains and the Alsace plain.